Justin Smith

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Can you go back to just the last game real quick. Those final two pass plays in which LB Ahmad Brooks batted down a pass and LB NaVorro batted one down, can you take us through those plays and how that defense played out? “They played out very good. It was a…

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke at his locker Wednesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: Are you excited about the HarBowl? JUSTIN SMITH: No, not really. I don’t even know John Harbaugh. Just from playing against him, he’s on the other sideline. But that’s for them. They’re probably focused on it, it’s an awesome deal for their family but, you know, we’re concentrating here on bringing home a championship….

SANTA CLARA – Aldon Smith spoke in the 49ers’ locker room Wednesday afternoon. This is what he said. Q: Have offenses been double-teaming you more and more as the season has progressed? ALDON SMITH: Yeah, I’ve gotten doubled a lot more. Quarterbacks are doing a good job of getting the ball out of their hands. Stuff like that. Q: How do you deal with that? ALDON SMITH: It’s freeing somebody…

Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR on Monday and Tuesday. Here’s what he said about the NFC Championship game. Q: How do you think Colin Kaepernick performed as a passer against the Falcons? COSELL: I thought he threw the ball exceptionally well. I thought he did a really good job of stepping up in the pocket, which younger quarterbacks – particularly ones that run – sometimes struggle to do because as…

ATLANTA – The 49ers beat the Falcons 28-24. The 49ers are going to the Super Bowl. Here are the grades for the 49ers’ defense and special teams. Defensive line: B. Justin Smith and Ray McDonald didn’t get much pressure on Ryan, but in the second half they were able to push the pocket up the middle. It became difficult for Ryan to step into his throws. Also, the 49ers’ defensive…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Frank Gore’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. You haven’t worn that in a while? “No.” Why’d you pull it out today? “It’s a work day. That’s about it. Just want to have a good work day.” What’s it going to take to have a good work day on Sunday? “We just have to play 49ers football. Do…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Vic Fangio’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Just the matchup, the two wide receivers, how do those guys rate or compare or how difficult it is to prepare for those two guys as opposed to a lot of receiver combinations you guys have faced? “Well, they’re certainly up there as one of the best tandems in the league, if…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Thursday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Have you had any interesting guests come in and talk to the team this week? “No.” Sometimes you do. “Yeah, sometimes.” But not this time? “[ESPN Sportscaster] Chris Berman was here yesterday, he said a few words to the team.” How do you feel about preparation to this point,…

Greg Cosell spoke on KNBR Thursday morning. Here’s what he said about the 49ers and the Falcons. Q: Was Kaepernick’s record-breaking performance aided by an awful Packers defense? COSELL: I think that’s fair. I think the numbers reflect that. He had three scrambled in the first half for 53 yards. All of them came against man-to-man coverage concepts. Two of those plays they doubled Michael Crabtree. I think that playing…

SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript of his press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. How did you come out of the game? How did you feel Sunday? “I think it felt pretty good for the most part, just getting use to it and playing with it. It should be even better this week after going through it, knowing how it…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Patrick Willis’ Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. When you put on the game film of the Falcons, what’s the first thing that jumps out at you? “They’ve got a good quarterback, a real good quarterback. The team, they’re fundamentally sound, have some great skill players. I feel like they have a complete offense.” Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez caught…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. A week ago at this time you made an observation about the early stages of the game planning, guys were soaking it in. Do you have any observations like that this week? “Yeah, it’s been good. We’re working through the dynamic of playing the Falcons. And so far so good.” When…

SANTA CLARA – This is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Monday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. How did DT Justin Smith make it through the game? “Good. Played well. Came out of the game as clean as possible.” And did you expect him to kind of pick up where he left off? “It looked good in practice and the feedback that we were getting from him was…

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers massacred the Packers 45-31 on Saturday night. Here is the grade for the 49ers defense and special teams. Defensive line: B+. Justin Smith played 53 snaps, 91 percent of the defensive snaps. That alone is impressive. He couldn’t use his injured left arm, but the Packers still double teamed him, and he was disruptive bull rushing. And he was effective against the run, finishing the…

The 49ers play the Packers Saturday at the Stick. In the meantime, I’ll break down the key matchups. LT Marshall Newhouse vs. ROLB Aldon Smith To beat the Packers, you must pressure Aaron Rodgers. Aldon Smith, as you know, is the 49ers best pass rusher. He’ll be facing Marshall Newhouse, a mediocre left tackle who has given up eight sacks this season. Aldon Smith finished the Week 1 game against…

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh spoke in the media tent Wednesday afternoon. Here’s a transcript of his press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Have you made a decision on your kicker yet? “No. Not one that we’ll have made or announce yet.” Will you not announce it until an hour and a half before the game? “That’s possible.” I was on a conference call with former 49ers…

Aaron Rodgers spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said. Q: How does this 49ers team look different from Week 1 when you saw them at Lambeau? RODGERS: Defensively it’s the same guys. One of the top defenses in the league, if not the best. They have playmakers all over the field, at every level – D-line, linebackers, secondary. The secondary can make…

Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy spoke on a conference call with Bay Area reporters on Tuesday. Here’s what he said. Q: How different are both of these teams from the teams that faced each other in Week 1? McCARTHY: I think every team in the National Football League is different from Week 1 to when they get in the playoffs. I think that holds true for both the 49ers and…

This is the opening for my Wednesday analysis of what’s at stake for Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers on Saturday. This will run in the Press Democrat newspaper, and I’m also posting it here. This week the 49ers are in the same position they were in a year ago — No. 2 seed, first-round bye, home game. It’s a great situation to be in, but the stakes are different. Last…

SANTA CLARA – Vic Fangio spoke in the media tent Tuesday afternoon. Here’s what he said about Justin Smith and the rest of the 49ers defense, courtesy of the 49ers. Is DT Justin Smith closer to full strength and how’s he looking out there? “He’s doing fine. I don’t think we’ll know for sure until Sunday comes.” Saturday? “Saturday. Sorry.” But, what has he shown you in…

Inside the 49ers: Grant Cohn

I cover the San Francisco 49ers year-round for The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa. Argue with me, agree with me, or just read the posts and follow the conversation. I've been a contributor to several other regional and national sports websites, and I also write two online columns a week for pressdemocrat.com, which are posted on this site as well.